Grace Fellowhip Church purchases previous Lamar Presbyterian Church – relocates from Brew Unto Others to the new location named “The Bricks”

TRANSITIONING FROM THE BREW TO THE BRICKS 

In 2013, the Wiley Community Church planted Grace Fellowship at 119 S. Main Street after holding services in temporary locations all over Lamar. The church’s hope was that Grace Fellowship would be in the community and serve the community seven days a week. Out of those conversations came the coffee shop, Brew Unto Others. Brew Unto Others was opened in August, 2013 with church partners, contributors, and city leaders, as a faith-based, for-profit business in the community from a deep desire in the heart of believers to preach and practice the gospel of Christ. Shortly after its opening, church leadership understood that the congregation would eventually outgrow the limited space available at 119 S. Main Street. 

Efforts aligned the church’s mission (connecting people to Christ) with the coffee shop’s working mission to create a great place to connect with each other personally, professionally, and spiritually. Believing in the mission, vision, and values below, Brew Unto Others operated as a beacon in our area, maintaining a safe, inviting place where people could come to enjoy refreshments, make connections, and feel the love of God. 

Along the way, church leadership considered properties in and around Lamar for a new church home. Church leadership investigated neighboring properties and other buildings as it considered potential moves. In an incredible turn of events, the First Presbyterian Church of Lamar congregation offered to sell its building at 1110 S. 6th Street to Grace Fellowship in early 2026, as the congregation could no longer support the property. After prayer and discussion, Grace Fellowship Church agreed to purchase the property and its remaining contents. Stewardship of the building and property was transferred to Grace Fellowship Church in April 2026. Since then, Grace Fellowship Church leadership has been contracting with local vendors to complete renovations at “The Bricks,” as the building has been nicknamed. It intends to hold its first service in the new church on Sunday, August 30 and has scheduled an official grand opening with a service and meal on September 20th.

Shannon O’Bryan has been Grace Fellowship’s lead pastor since September 2023; his style is inspirational and applicable while still being Biblically-grounded. The church holds services at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings and a variety of small group activities throughout the week. See Grace Fellowship’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gflamar or https://gfonline.us/ for all events. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Lamar was established in 1901. According to older members, the first church building was moved to another town. The second building was located near the Lamar Methodist Church and was razed. In 1961, the current building was built; at that time, there were approximately 250 members. Some of the stained glass windows from the downtown church were saved and placed on display in the new church. 

Over the years, church members provided outreach to the community. Members remember assisting the community during the 1965 flood. The Church was known for its Shrove Tuesday Pancake Suppers. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregation had held 70 suppers for the community. In April 2010, members assisted in organizing a Feed My Starving Children event. Open to the public, hundreds of people from Lamar and the surrounding communities came to pack meals. 

In 1999, Rev. Rory Gillespie was chosen to be First Presbyterian Church’s new pastor. Membership declined over his 27 years due to members passing away, families and individuals relocating, and the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2026, membership had decreased to only a dozen members. With expenses exceeding giving, the congregation made the difficult decision to close the church at the same time God was guiding Grace Fellowship Church to look for a larger facility. It is a blessing to the remaining members of the First Presbyterian Church to see the building being updated and utilized by the expanding ministry of Grace Fellowship Church. 

Because Brew Unto Others has been an important ministry of Grace Fellowship Church, church leadership was concerned about its future as the integrated church/ministry became two. In speaking with Brew Unto Others General Manager Tera Bender, it became clear that Bender had a deep conviction and personal commitment to continue to operate the business as an owner. Bender and church leadership negotiated the purchase of the business and building. 

Bender will reopen the business at 119 S. Main as Brew Boxes & Bundles on 8/5/2026. While ownership is changing, many of the things that drew the community to Brew Unto Others will remain. They will continue to offer food and beverages, but most importantly their commitment to serving the community will remain strong. 

# # #